Mundane phrases that may be used to refer to the day of the crackdown including “那天” (that day), “特殊的日子” (special day), “今天” (today) and “那年” (that year) were blocked.

One of the most creative alternative phrases produced by Chinese Internet users to circumvent the censorship is “占占点” or “占点占”. The phrase itself has no meaning but graphically illustrates the scenario of tanks (占占) crushing protesters (灬). It was detected and blocked as well.

Various combinations of numbers referring to the day of June 4 and year 1989 were blocked such as “64”, “六四” (64) , “玖捌” (89) and “玖捌” (98). Even formulas that equal to 64 were not spared including “8x8”, “八的平方” (square of 8), “65-1” and “5月35日”(May 35 which translates to June 4).

Phrases related to the annual candlelight vigil at Victoria Park, Hong Kong to commemorate the protest's anniversary were disallowed. Number of the anniversary like “二十五年” (25 years); the words "周年" (anniversary), “致敬” (pay respect), “悼念” (mourn) and places like “维园” (Victoria Park) and “广场” (public square, referring to Victoria Park) were all blocked.

Sometimes general phrases or words were deemed sensitive when Chinese censors found out they have been used to discuss unwanted incidents. Examples include “蜡烛” (candle), “火” (fire), “推特” (Twitter) and “动” (move).

Chinese censors are extremely responsive to current issues. In 2012, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Composite Index fell exactly 64.89 points on June 4, the 23rd anniversary of the protest. The authority soon blocked phrases including “上证” (Shanghai Composite), “指数” (index), “股市” (stock market) and “下跌” (fall).